Simplex automatic stop signal



Aug. 24 1926. 1,597,550

w. -H. "SMITH'.'

SIMPLEX AUTOMATIC STOP SIGNAL Filed Dec. 15, 1925 WHSMJTH Hi5 ATTORNE Y.

Patented Aug. 24, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, OF OTTAVTA, ONTARIO, CANADA.

SIMPLEX AUTOMATIC sTor SIGNAL. 7

Application filed December 15, 1925, serial narasse, and in CanadaNovember 17, 1925.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in asimplex automatic stop signal for motor vehicles and has for its primaryobject the provision of a signal of the character stated which isextremely simple in construction and operation and which may be readilyadapted to various automobiles, trucks and the like, without alterationsin the same.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a stopsignal of the character stated which is composed of the minimum numberof parts and which includes a vertical shaft, rotatably mounted andcarrying thereon a signal disc arranged in a vertical plane for rotationwith said shaft in a horizontal plane and means for limiting rotation ofsaid shaft and signal disc in either direction and also means forresilientlyretaining said shaft and disc in unoperated or normalposition. I

The invention has for another object th provision of a stop signal ofthe character stated which is designed for connection with the clutchoperating mechanism in such a manner that the signal will beautomatically operated as the clutch is operated.

The invention hasfor a further object the provision of a. stop signal ofthe character stated including a special horizontal flat circular memberadjustably secured to the vertical shaft and having connected theretoone end of the spring encircling the vertical shaft so that tension ofthe spring may be readily regulated to assure proper operation of thesame in resiliently retaining the shaft and signal disc in normal orunoperated position and therefore, automatically returning said shaftand signal disc'to normal or unoperated position after each operationthereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in View as will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of co-operating elements as hereinafter morespecifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawingsforming a part of the present application and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle with the invention appliedthereto.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the signal on an enlarged scale and with thecover plate of the bearing casing broken away to show parts within thebearingcasing. I V

Fig, 8' is vertical section substantially an nate corresponding partsthroughout the seV eral views, it is to be noted that the signalincludes a signal disc l1 which is mounted in a vertical plane on theupper portion of the vertical rotary shaft 12, and which disc 11, hasinscribed thereon in an appropriate manner the word stop as shown at 13,or

some other signalling word character or information, as may bepreferred. The shaft 12 has its lower portion extended into and mountedfor rotation the bearing casing 141, with the lower extremity of theshaft 12, turning in the bearing 15, carried on the bottom plate of thebearing casing 14, as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 8. An appropriatespring 16, is extended around the lower portion of the shaft 12, withits lower extremity secured in the bearing 15, while its upper end issecured to the horizontal flat circular member 17, with the latter inturn adj-ustably mounted on the, shaft 12, by a set screw 18, or thelike. By means offset screw 18, the horizontal flat circular member 17,may be secured in any adjusted posi tion on the shaft 12, and thusemployed to tension the spring 16, as well as retain the member 17 inproper position. Rotation of the shaft12, and disc 11, in eitherdirection is limited by the laterally extended pin 19, carried by theshaft 12,

within the upper portion of the bearing casing 14, and working betweenspaced depending stop pins 20, carried by the top of the casing 14:, asclearly shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Rotation of the shaft 1.2, and signal disc 11, to inoperated position iscaused by the flexible'cable 21, working through the hearing casing 14,and having one end secured to the horizontal flat circular member 17,while its other end is connected in an appropriate manner to a portionof the clutchoperating mechanism, such as the clutch lever as apparentthat the flexible cable 21, may have a resilient or spring portion, asdesired,- as V will be readily understood by parties familiarwithflexible connections.

Attention is called to the fact that the signal, may be mounted readilyat the of the vehicle by securing the .bearing casing 14 to the rearbumper 23, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4:, or otherwise mounting the signalso that the signal disc 11 may be readily seen by following vehicles andpedestrians.

It is believed the complete invention, the advantages and the operationthereof may be readily understood from the. foregoing paragraphs takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, without further detaildescription. It may be briefly stated, however, that the disc 11, is,normally turned so that only the edge thereof may be seen by any of thefollowing operators of private vehicles and public conveyancers andpedestrians in the rear of the vehicle. As soon as the clutch isoperated, however, the flexible cable 21 will actuate the shaft 12, andsignal disc 11 so as to rotate the shaft 12 a quarter revolution andturn the signal disc 11, to operated position so that the word stop orother information.

appearing on the face thereof will be presented so that it maybe readilyseen by all in the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 4, of thedrawings. Then the clutch is released, the spring 16, will immediatelyacttoreturn the shaft 11, and signal disc to their unoperated or normalposition as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, in the drawings.

Rotation of the shaft 12 and turning of the disc 11, the proper distancein either direction is assured by the lateral pin 19,

working in the space between the stop pins ing a bearing casing mountedat the rear" of the vehlcle; a vertical shaft extending upwardly fromsaid bearlng caslng; a S1g.'

nal disc mounted on, said shaft in a verti calplane in such a mannerthat the edge only of said disc is present to view rearwardly of thevehicle when signal disc and shaft are in normal or unoperated position;a horizontal flat circular member carried by said shaft within saidbearing casing; a spring connected with said bearing casing and withsaid horizontal flat circular mem her to resiliently retain said shaftand sig-,

nal in unoperated position; flexible connections between said horizontalflat circular member and the'lever of the motor vehicle for causingrotation of said shaft and signal disc to operated position uponoperation of the clutch lever; and means carried by said shaft and saidbearing casing to limit the rotation of said disc and shaft in eitherdirection.

Intestimony whereof Iaffii:

ture.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.

